Movable multipurpose toilet cabinet

ABSTRACT

This application relates a multipurpose moveable toilet cabinet article of furniture that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifying the bathroom, and also can be used independently of the toilet for other furniture functions, such as a stool, chair, table, hamper, storage bin, or supplemental chest of drawers. In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet may be provided in kit or “ready to assemble” form to facilitate shipping.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of provisional patentapplication 61/132,874, “Removable, usable toilet chair-cabinet”, filedJun. 23, 2008. The contents of 61/132,874 are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application discloses a multipurpose moveable article of furnitureor “toilet cabinet” that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifyingthe bathroom, and can also be used independently of the toilet for otherfurniture functions as well.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many people find the toilet in the modern bathroom to be unsightly dueto the toilet's proximity to the bathtub, shower or sink. Recentbathroom trends have attempted to take the bathroom beyond mereutilitarian functions into the realm of the living space. For example,faucets, sinks, toilets, and vanities have all been made increasinglyornate. Many people now use the bathtub—bathroom as a place ofrelaxation, and try to think of it as a personal spa. Unfortunately thevisual proximity of the exposed toilet bowl detracts from this spaeffect.

In other cases, family needs require that the bathroom be used bymultiple individuals who are not using the toilet. For example, youngparents may need to bathe young children, or caregivers may need tobathe the elderly and infirm. Here the toilet occupies valuable bathroom“real estate” that could be better used for alternate purposes, such asfor a temporary table, chair, or storage space.

In other situations, such as smaller homes and apartments, floor spaceas a whole may be limited. Families also have other needs, such as needfor a hamper to store dirty clothes, temporary need for a table, oroccasional need for an extra stool, and have a need to meet these needsin a space efficient manner.

Prior art efforts have attempted to address the problem of toiletunsightliness by making large, semi-permanently attached, enclosures forthe toilet. These prior art approaches required that the user use thetoilet while the enclosure was attached, which resulted in many cleaningissues, and the semi-permanent attachment made it difficult to cleanunder the chair. These approaches have not met with much commercialsuccess.

Examples of this prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,089,775 to Wexelberg,U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 to Suser, U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 to Zieman,U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,551 to Cummings, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,341 toZwezdaryk, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 to Mitchell.

Suser in U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 describes an overall cover for waterclosets and flush bowls. His design has the drawback, however, that itis not self supporting. Further, his design is not easily removable.

Zieman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 describes a toilet cover chair thatfits over the common toilet including the water box. The chair includesarms and a back, and the seating portion of the chair has a closableopening.

More recently, Mitchell in U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 disclosed toiletcovers with multiple drawers for storing toiletries. This cover is againaffixed to the bathroom floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Given the need to occasionally cover toilets, occasionally convert thetoilet into a temporary table or shelf, occasional need for additionalstorage space for dirty clothing and other items, and occasional needfor extra stools or end-tables, there is an unmet need for an easilymoved multiple-function article of furniture that can perform thesevarious functions.

In one aspect, the invention is a “toilet cabinet” or “toilet furniture”that at least temporarily disguises the toilet to look like a differentpiece of furniture, thereby making the bathroom to look more a place ofrelaxation, and less like a place for waste elimination.

In another aspect, the invention may be used either on or away from thetoilet as a chair or stool, hamper or other storage unit, shelf, orside-table.

In other aspects, the invention may be used to help the infirmed to geton and off the toilet. The invention may also be used as a ‘child safetylatch’ or ‘soft-closing hinge’ to make the toilet safer for toddlers.

Unlike prior art dedicated toilet-chair inventions, the “toilet cabinet”or “toilet furniture” invention is designed for convenient and rapidmounting and dismounting from the toilet, and the invention is alsodesigned with additional functionality designed to enhance itsmultipurpose utility for other, off-toilet applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a side perspective drawing of one embodiment of the toiletfurniture invention.

FIG. 1B shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A in place over a toiletbowl. The lid of the toilet furniture is down, and the toilet tank is inthe back.

FIG. 1C shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A in place over a toiletbowl. The lid of the toilet furniture is up, and the toilet tank isbehind the lid.

FIG. 1D shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A from the back. The lid ofthe toilet furniture is down. The toilet bowl fits into the cavity ofthe toilet furniture, and the toilet tank stays outside of this cavity.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention.Here the back of the toilet furniture also has an opening to receive thetoilet tank as well.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture inventionthat also has an internal storage compartment.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention.This embodiment has a top without a lid. It is intended to cover thetoilet, but not allow toilet use while the invention is in-place overthe toilet.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention,in which the invention has multiple storage compartments.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention,in which the invention has multiple drawers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the multipurpose toilet furniture or“toilet cabinet” will alternately be described as either “the device” or“the invention”, and it will frequently also be referred to as a “toiletcabinet”.

The invention is designed to accomplish multiple purpose. One functionis to hide the toilet bowl, which is often considered unsightly. Anotherfunction is to cover the toilet bowl, and thus improve sanitation byblocking unwanted, bacteria-containing, aerosols associated with toiletuse. Another function includes child safety functions, and here thedevice can function as a child safety lock, preventing access to thetoilet bowl as desired.

As previously discussed, other functions include use for seating, forstorage, and as a table, either on or off the toilet.

Unlike other prior art “toilet chairs”, the toilet cabinet invention isdesigned for rapid portability, and is supported by the floor, and byvarious wheels, glides, or rollers on the base of the invention ratherthan the toilet structure itself. The invention is designed to be easilyrolled into position over the toilet bowl, and then out away from thetoilet bowl. This facilitates rapid removal for easy cleaning.

In order to facilitate a temporary but secure fit with a toilet, someembodiment of the invention may have a number of internal structure andcustom adjustment features designed to expedite rapid but snugattachment and detachment from standard or custom toilet bowls.

Most standard toilets have a characteristic pedestal shape, in which awide upper bowl/basing, usually with a toilet seat, usually about 14-16inches wide, and about 18-26 inches away from a back wall or toilettank, is supported about 16 inches above the bathroom floor by anarrower toilet pedestal base, usually about 6-12 inches wide.

Some embodiment of the invention will achieve a relatively precise fitbetween various fixed position internal structures in the toilet cabinet(e.g. boards or shelves with fixed position cutouts that fit around thetoilet pedestal and/or bowl). In other embodiments, the internalstructures in the toilet cabinet may be adjustable to various widths bymeans of moving slots, screw threads, pegs, levers, knobs and the like.

This will allow these internal structures to fit multiple differentbrands and sizes of toilet.

These adjustable internal openings or structures may, for example bespring-mounted, may be of a deformable material such as a pneumatic tirelike material or a foam-like material, or may be manually adjustable(for example after purchase) by means of screws, pegs, knobs and othermeans to allow the invention to be rapidly customized to fit snugly, butnon-permanently into the characteristic toilet pedestal space or basinspace. As another example, multiple inserts customized to variousstandard toilet bowls may be provided, and the user can pick the insertbest suited to their particular toilet design.

In order to facilitate very rapid insertion and removal into the toiletbowl space, the invention may be mounted on wheels, coasters, glides, orthe like. These wheels, coasters, and glides may be of fixed height, butoften will be variable height in order to accommodate different toiletdesigns. Depending upon application, these wheels or coasters may bedesigned with an optional locking mechanism that will allow the user toeasily prevent rolling once the invention has been rolled onto thetoilet bowl. In this situation, it will be useful to also allow the userto unlock the wheels once removal from the toilet bowl is desired. Thisoptional locking and unlocking mechanism may either be designed forimmediate and ready access (for example in adult households), oralternatively be designed with more difficult to access “child proof”mechanism to prevent accidental unlocking by young children, elderly, ordisabled users.

In order to facilitate multipurpose operation, the invention may also beequipped with one or more attachments. These attachments may include 1)a toilet paper holder, 2) a magazine or book holder, 3) a side mounteddesktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area ofthe top, 4) side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismountingof the invention, 5), a detachable basket or box to allow for extrainternal storage, such as for a hamper (see FIG. 3), 6) an internalpermanently installed (or detachable net) that will allow the inventionto be used for storage, or for attachment to a toilet bowl, without needfor any basket or box removal, 7) a child safety lock, 8) a magneticcatch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seatlid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, 9) asoft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.

FIG. 1A is a side perspective drawing of one embodiment of theinvention. The toilet bowl compartment (2) is made up of three verticalplanes; a front and two sides, and two horizontal planes, the top andbottom. In this embodiment, the top plane consists of a moveable lid (1)connected to rear brace (6) by hinge (5). The bottom plane consists ofbottom support (3).

The toilet bowl compartment (2) sits over the toilet bowl, (not shown).The top plane is attached to and supported by a front and two sideswhich make the vertical planes. The bottom plane is the support brace orframe (3) which keeps the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and, alsomakes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). Additionally,this support brace or frame (3) will often have a cutout (200) designedto accommodate the toilet bowl pedestal, preferably with a fairlyprecise fit between the cutout and the pedestal to help prevent lateralmovement of the toilet cabinet once the cabinet is in place.Alternatively, adjustment mechanisms (e.g. the previously describedadjustable screws, levers, pegs, etc.) may be attached to frame (3) andused to adjust the width of cutout (200) to better fit a variety ofdifferent sized toilet pedestals.

The rear of toilet bowl compartment (2) is open. In order to accommodatethe base pedestal of the toilet bowl, there may be more than one bottombrace (3), positioned at various levels heights inside the compartment2, each with its own large slot-shaped opening, each of which may beadjustable by means of the previously discussed width or heightadjustment mechanisms. The top surface of the toilet cabinet will oftenalso have a cutout (202) designed to fit around the upper portion of thetoilet, and in some embodiments, this cutout may also be made adjustableby various screws, levers, slides or other adjustment mechanisms.

As previously discussed, in order to facilitate use with a wide varietyof different toilet designs, it often will be advantageous to make theheight of the wheels or glides (4) adjustable by a mechanism (203), suchas an adjustable screw mechanism, rod with detents, pneumatic adjust, orother mechanism to raise or lower the height of the toilet cabinet frombetween a fraction of an inch to up to two or more inches in order toallow the cabinet to fit over toilet bowls positioned at various heightsabove the bathroom floor.

In some embodiments, there may also be a detent or handle (8) on thefront of the lid (1).

In operation, the toilet cabinet invention or device of FIG. 1 is placedover or around the toilet bowl by sliding or rolling the device so thatthe toilet bowl, (not pictured), ‘enters’ the device through the openrear of the toilet bowl compartment (2), through the wide slot in bottombrace (3), until the front of the toilet ends up adjacent to thebackside of the front wall of the toilet compartment (2). In thisposition, the toilet bowl is inside of the device, and the toilet can beaccessed and used by lifting the front of lid (1) which in someembodiments may be hinged (5) at the rear with the aid of thehandle/detent (8).

In this configuration, when the lid (1) is in the open position, thetoilet can be accessed and used. When the lid (1) is in the closedposition, (as shown in FIG. 1), this device can be used as a seat, or asa temporary table (for example to set towels on while using thebathtub). Note that when the device is placed over the toilet in theclosed position, the lid (1) provides another layer of protectionagainst the previously discussed “aerosol effect”.

The device is moved easily across the floor into or out of position overthe toilet by means of wheels or glides (4). With this device placedover the toilet in the closed position, the toilet bowl is hidden fromview and therefore hides the most objectionable part of the bathroom.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1A in placeover a toilet bowl, with lid (1) in a down position. Here the toiletbowl (100) (normally hidden from view) is shown in dotted lines, and ina somewhat distorted perspective. In this drawing, for easier viewing,toilet bowl (100) is shown overly small and short. In practice, in thisembodiment, the surface of the toilet bowl will be closer to the surfaceof lid (1). The toilet tank (102) is shown behind the device's maincompartment (2)

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1A in placeover a toilet bowl (100), with lid (1) now in an up position. As can beseen, in this embodiment, the height of the toilet cabinet is set sothat toilet bowl (100) is at the proper height, relative to the cabinet,to allow the toilet to be easily used when lid (1) is up.

FIG. 1D shows the invention from the backside. Here the invention can bemoved (106) by way of wheels or glides (4) to fit over toilet bowl(100). In this embodiment, the toilet tank (102) protrudes above the topof the invention. In this drawing, lid (1) is down. Note that thisperspective shows the bottom support brace (3) and the opening in thisbrace (200) is designed to conform to the lower pedestal base of toiletbowl (100). In an optional embodiment, the fit between bottom supportbrace (3) and the lower pedestal base of toilet bowl (100) can be mademore precise by way of one or more additional mechanisms (104) affixedto brace (3). As previously discussed, these optional additionalmechanisms can be screw adjusts, pneumatic elements, foam adjusts, pegadjusts or any other mechanism designed to adjust the clearance betweenbrace (3) and the toilet pedestal bottom (100).

FIG. 2 is a side perspective drawing of another embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment, the invention covers the entire toiletincluding both the lower toilet bowl (100) and the upper toilet tank(102). Here the toilet bowl and toilet tank are not shown, but theoverall toilet bowl and tank configuration is similar to that shown inFIG. 1B.

The toilet bowl compartment (2) and the toilet tank compartment (10) aretwo sections of the whole device. As before, the bottom support brace orframe (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and alsomakes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The lid (1) canbe lifted up with the aid of a detent or handle (8) located on the frontof the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear of the lid (1)to give access to use the toilet.

The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment(2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment (10) keep the sides of thecompartment parallel and square and serve as an attachment point for thehinge (5). In this embodiment, a cutout (here symbolized by the crescentmoon shape) (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10)provides access to a toilet flush handle (not shown), which is normallymounted on the toilet tank of most standard toilets.

In this embodiment, the toilet tank compartment (10) is joined to thetop of the toilet bowl compartment (2) (as described above), and thewhole device is thus composed of both of these sections. The rearsupport or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) isthe bottom of the tank compartment (10). The sides and front of the tankcompartment make up vertical planes of tank compartment and the rearbrace (6) and the top are the horizontal planes. The front of the tankcompartment is attached to the sides laterally, and attached to the topat its front edge, and attached to rear brace (6) at the bottom; this isalso the point at which the tank compartment (10) is joined to the bowlcompartment (2). There is cutout (7) (not intended to be limited to theshape of a crescent moon, any shape that allows access to the handlewill work) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10).

In operation, the for the device shown in FIG. 2, the lower componentslisted as (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (8), all operate asdiscussed previously. The addition of the tank compartment (10) hidesthe toilet tank so that the entire toilet is camouflaged, but does notdetract from any of the other functions previously mentioned.

As previously discussed, the function of the cutout (7) is to provideaccess to the toilet flush lever. Here this feature is not considered tobe limiting, but rather is mentioned or drawn to symbolize any generalpurpose method or mechanism that allows the user to flush the toiletwithout removing the entire device from around the toilet.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective drawing of another embodiment of thisinvention. Here, the invention may also have provision for one or moreinternal storage compartments (12). Thus, for example, the toilet bowlcompartment (2), the toilet tank compartment (10), and the storagecompartment (12) can be three sections of the whole device.

As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep thetoilet bowl compartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for thewheels or glides (4). The rear support or brace (6) at the top of thetoilet bowl compartment (2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment(10) also keep the sides of the compartment parallel and square, andsupport brace (6) may also incorporate mechanisms (previously discussed)to adjust the gap between the edge of brace (6) and the toilet tank(102—not shown).

Note that in this embodiment, the floor (9) of the storage compartment(12) keeps this area separate from the toilet bowl compartment. Oftenthe device of FIG. 3 will thus be taller than the device shown in FIG. 1to accommodate both the toilet bowl and storage space.

The optional back wall (11) of the storage compartment can keep thisarea separate from the toilet tank compartment. The lid (1) can belifted up with the aid of an optional detent or handle (8) located onthe front of the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear ofthe lid (1) to give access to the storage area (12).

In an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the floor(9) and/or the optional back wall (11) can be composed of flexiblenetting, fabric, plastic, or other flexible material, and indeed may beone continuous piece of this material. If this is done, then theflexible material will automatically deform over the surface of thetoilet bowl (100—not shown) when the invention is rolled into place overa toilet. In this case the user may use the invention as a hamper orother storage device when the device is away from the toilet, and use itas a toilet cover as desired. In this embodiment, the device may eitherbe substantially taller than the device shown in FIGS. 1A-D, oralternatively may be about the same height as the device shown in FIGS.1A-D.

In some embodiments of the invention, there may not be a moveable toplid (1). Rather the solid top will be permanently fixed in a downposition. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment is similarto FIG. 1, but without a moveable top lid (1) or hinge (5). As before,the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowlcompartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for the wheels orglides (4). As before, the frame (3) (and the detent in the top surfaceas well) may contain adjustment mechanisms (previously discussed) toallow the gap between the device and the toilet bowl and/or toilet tankto be adjusted to achieve a snug fit, if desired.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective drawing of an embodiment that has been mademuch wider. This embodiment is wide enough to also accommodate storagecompartments (12) on the sides of the toilet bowl area (2) and toilettank area (10). As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helpsto keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square, and makes an attachmentpoint for the wheels or glides (4). In this embodiment, the frame (3) isextended to encompass the floors (9) of the lower lateral storagecompartments (12).

As before, the lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of a detent orhandle (8) located on the front of the lid (1). This will often pivot onone or more hinges (5) located at the rear of the lid (1) and attachedto the bottom of the front of tank compartment (10).

As before, the cutout (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment(10) provides access to the toilet tank handle. The top surface (15) ofthe two lower storage areas (12) lateral to the toilet bowl area (2)extends to become the upper storage area (12) floors (9). All storageareas are made accessible though the doors (13) by use of optionalhandles or detents (8).

Another embodiment of the invention, with one or more storage drawers,is shown in FIG. 6. This shows a side perspective drawing with one ormore storage drawers (13) above the toilet bowl compartment (2) and infront of the toilet tank area (10). As before, the bottom support braceor frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square andmakes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The drawers (13)can be opened using the optional handles or detents (8). A false drawerfront (14) can optionally be attached to face of the toilet bowlcompartment (2) for consistency of appearance.

The uses and benefits of the FIG. 6 embodiment are generally the same asthose described in the embodiment previously described in FIG. 3, withthe possible exception that here, storage is configured to be utilizedby drawers (13) rather than from access by a top lid (which may be moresuited for use as a hamper. The drawers (13) and optional handles (8) inembodiment shown in FIG. 6 make this embodiment well suited for use withsmaller items, such as medicines, cosmetics, and the like. This featurewould be highly useful in a bathroom with limited medicine cabinet orvanity space. As previously discussed, the optional false drawer front(14) helps improve the illusion that the device is a full cabinet,rather than a removable toilet cover.

Further discussion:

In the embodiment previously discussed in FIGS. 1A-D, the toilet maystill be accessed and used by lifting the lid (1). With lid (1) closed,this device may be used as a seat or a surface to set towel or clothingon to facilitate dressing or undressing. This feature is highlydesirable, as many people view the toilet surface itself as beingunsanitary, and thus do not like using it as a table-like surface. Anadditional advantage is that while many toilet seat lids are notdesigned to hold a person's weight for very long, the invention can bemade to be quite sturdy.

As previously discussed, the device can also be used independently ofthe toilet by easily rolling or sliding the device away from the toileton its wheels or glides (4). Although some versions of the invention mayomit these wheels or glides (4), many versions will have at least twowheels or glides (4), and it will also be common to use four wheels orglides, six wheels or glides, or more as desired.

The basic frame of the device may be made out of almost any light-weightand strong material such as, but not limited to wood, metal or plastic.

Similarly, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 willgenerally have all the uses, and be used, in the same way as theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-D, but with the added coverage of thetoilet tank to further disguise the toilet. Here the cutout (7) on thetank compartment (10) gives access to flush the toilet while the deviceis in place over the toilet.

In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet device shown in FIG. 3 will besignificantly taller than the toilet bowl itself, (e.g. a 30-36″standard bathroom counter height, while the toilet bowl itself may onlybe 16½″ high), and will therefore not be allow direct access to thetoilet bowl for elimination functions. In other embodiments, for examplewhen a flexible and partially or totally detachable net is used for (9),the toilet cabinet device may be shorter and may still allow access tothe toilet for elimination functions.

In either case, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, gives all the benefitsof hiding and covering the toilet mentioned in FIG. 1's description, andalso has the added benefit of providing storage (12), accessed throughthe top (1), for use as, but not limited to, a hamper or other storagecontainer. As with the other variations, this device can be usedindependently of the toilet for this variation's secondary purpose whichis as hamper storage. Though not pictured here, this variation isconducive to a basket that can fit into the storage space (12) as areceptacle for laundry and be removed to transport the laundry easily tothe laundry room.

By contrast, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 does not allow access to thetoilet bowl for elimination functions. However this embodiment has theall benefits of hiding the toilet bowl, and serving as a seat over thetoilet (previously discussed). Also as previously discussed, this devicecan be used independently as a seat 2 by easily moving it out fromaround the toilet by means of wheels (4).

Some embodiments of this invention are designed to also be useful whennot in position over a toilet bowl. However in this situation, when thetoilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet bowl, the large backopening of the unit (210) will be exposed, which may be cosmeticallyundesirable.

To hide this undesirable back opening (210), in some embodiments of theinvention, this large opening may be closed by means of a roll downblind, flexible cloth, plastic, leather or fabric closing, or by a morerigid plastic, wood, or metal closing that can be easily affixed inplace when the invention is not attached to the toilet (not shown).

The main difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and theother embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is that in FIG. 5, theoptional storage compartments are set laterally (12) and accessed byconventional cabinet doors (13) with the aid of optional handles ordetents (8). Not pictured in this figure (5), but which may also beincorporated in this or other embodiments, are configurations with thestorage to one side only, or drawers instead of doors.

In another embodiment, the various portions of the toilet cabinet may beprovided in a kit form, ready to assemble for easier shipping. Oftenthis kit will provide instructions for assembly, and optional additionalassembly tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, or glue.

Thus to summarize, in one embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinetfor covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of abathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop anarrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollowcabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to the bottom of thecabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and apartially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot with an openingextending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configuredto allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers tobe pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixedto said floor of the bathroom; said open slot being configured to bewide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enoughnot to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partiallyconstrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toiletbasin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of arigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinetadditionally having a top made of a rigid material, said cabinet top,front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glidesor rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least oneconfiguration, to be freely moved on said wheels glides or rollersbetween a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and asecond position where the cabinet is no longer associated with thetoilet bowl.

In another embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinet for covering atleast a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, saidtoilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toiletpedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with atleast four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; saidcabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially openbottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to theback of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow thecabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed overa bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floorof the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough toadmit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit saidtoilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movementof the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; in which theopen slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one ormore toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjustthe dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openingsto precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toiletbasin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of arigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinetadditionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containinga lid mounted to the top by a hinge; said cabinet top, front side, rightside, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers beingconfigured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to befreely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position wherethe cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where thecabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.

Any of these embodiments may also be equipped with one or moreadditional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toiletpaper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop orhinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, ora side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of theinvention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, aninternal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow theinvention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, achild safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lidof the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can beopened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachmentfor the lid.

Additionally, any of these embodiments may have a mechanism to cover theopen back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not inposition over the toilet. Further, any of these embodiments may alsohave embodiments in which toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank ofthe toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains aflush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet containsan opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.

1. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mountedon the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basinmounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:a rigid hollow cabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to thebottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially openback and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot withan opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slotconfigured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels, glides, orrollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowlis affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot beingconfigured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, butnarrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at leastpartially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is overthe toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left sidemade of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; saidcabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said cabinettop, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheelsglides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least oneconfiguration, to be freely moved on said wheels, glides, or rollersbetween a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and asecond position where the cabinet is no longer associated with thetoilet bowl.
 2. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the open slotand/or the partially open back additionally comprise one or more toiletshape conforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust thedimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings toprecisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toiletbasin.
 3. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet shapeconfirming mechanisms comprise one or more mechanisms selected from thegroup consisting of springs, screws, pegs, knobs, pneumatic tire likematerials, or deformable foam-like materials.
 4. The toilet cabinet ofclaim 1, in which the cabinet wheels, glides or rollers are heightadjustable.
 5. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the cabinet haswheels or rollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet hasleast one additional locking mechanism that allows the user to keepthese wheels or rollers from freely turning.
 6. The toilet cabinet ofclaim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or moremechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder,a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf thatcan be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mountedhand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention.
 7. Thetoilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the top contains a lid mounted on ahinge, configured to allow a user, when the cabinet is over the toiletbowl and the lid is open, to gain access to the toilet bowl.
 8. Thetoilet cabinet of claim 7, in which the toilet cabinet additionallycomprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the groupconsisting of a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, aninternal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow theinvention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, achild safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lidof the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can beopened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachmentfor the lid.
 9. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toiletcabinet has a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinetwhen the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet.
 10. Thetoilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionallycovers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of thetoilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toiletcabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toiletflush mechanism.
 11. The toilet cabinet in claim 1 in a kit form, inwhich at least some of the sides of the cabinet are provided in a precutbut detached form along with optional instructions for assembly.
 12. Atoilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted onthe floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basinmounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached tothe bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially openback and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot withan opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slotconfigured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides orrollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowlis affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot beingconfigured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, butnarrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at leastpartially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is overthe toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left sidemade of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; saidcabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said topcontaining a lid mounted to the top by a hinge; said cabinet top, frontside, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides orrollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least oneconfiguration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between afirst position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a secondposition where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.13. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the open slot and/or thepartially open back are designed with one or more toilet shapeconforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust the dimensions ofthe open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fitthe dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin; and inwhich the toilet shape conforming mechanisms comprise one or moremechanisms selected from the group consisting of springs, screws, pegs,knobs, pneumatic tire like materials, or deformable foam-like materials.14. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the cabinet has wheels orrollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet has least oneadditional locking mechanism that allows the user to keep these wheelsor rollers from freely turning.
 15. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, inwhich the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additionalmechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder,a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf thatcan be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mountedhand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, adetachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internalpermanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention tobe used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safetylock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the deviceand the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closedsimultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid. 16.The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet has amechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toiletcabinet is not in position over the toilet.
 17. The toilet cabinet ofclaim 12, in which the toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank ofthe toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains aflush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet containsan opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.18. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the front of the toiletcabinet contains openings for at least one drawer, and in which theheight of the toilet cabinet is high enough to allow said at least onedrawer to be inserted in said toilet cabinet when said toilet cabinet ismounted over the toilet bowl.
 19. A toilet cabinet for covering at leasta bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toiletbowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal,said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with at leastfour wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; saidcabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially openbottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to theback of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow thecabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed overa bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floorof the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough toadmit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit saidtoilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movementof the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; in which theopen slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one ormore toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjustthe dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openingsto precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toiletbasin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of arigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinetadditionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containinga lid mounted to the top by a hinge; said cabinet top, front side, rightside, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers beingconfigured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to befreely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position wherethe cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where thecabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
 20. The toiletcabinet of claim 19, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprisesone or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting ofa toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktopor hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top,or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of theinvention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, aninternal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow theinvention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, achild safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lidof the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can beopened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachmentfor the lid.